Shaq apparently is trying to save face after everyone laughed at the report that he was going to speak with the Magic about their vacant GM job. The former All-NBA center turned analyst issued a statement on Thursday where he denied interest in the position.

“When I first heard about the vacancy for the Orlando Magic general manager position, I was clearly intrigued. “I was drafted by the Magic, I have a great love for the franchise, and I have made the city of Orlando my home. Additionally, I have great admiration and respect for the DeVos family.

“However, this is not a job I have an interest in pursuing,” his statement says. “I feel very fortunate to be with TNT and to have the best job in sports. I look forward to many more years with Charles (Barkley), Kenny (Smith) and E.J. (Ernie Johnson). I wish the best for the Magic and I am confident that they will select a great GM and coach.”

At least he did admit he was intrigued when he first heard about it. But now he’s saying he’s not interested in pursuing?

What Shaq’s doing is pulling the old “I know you’re going to break up with me, so I’m going to break up with you first before you have a chance to make me look bad.”

When the story was first reported on Wednesday night, I figured the interest had to be coming from Shaq’s side, not Orlando’s. Seriously, how many people who have a GM vacancy think to themselves, “You know who would be great for this job? Shaq.” Nobody. Marc Stein pretty much confirmed that when he said Shaq was lobbying for the position behind the scenes.

Like I said, Shaq issued the statement to try and save face by making it seem like he’s pulling out of consideration for a job he never really was being considered for in the first place.